How to spot a fake Chinese Les Paul Standard

Here's a little video on how to spot a fake Chinese Les Paul Standard. It also features the T2 model in TH2 by Overloud.

[@BabaLoochi]

This video hits crazy nostalgia for me. I remember watching your Chibson videos and your Still Of The Night cover about 11 years ago when I started playing guitar. You and Phil X are top tier KZbin legends to me. Thank you for your videos and inspiration.

[@Jeffsafe]

One of the things that cracks me up with this video is the interrupts himself with his playing. He'll start a sentence then interrupt himself with a riff.

[@adamsansom4822]

Remember watching this when I was like 16! Glad it's still on here!

[@OddTimeMan]

A friend of mine bought one of these fakes and the woods were solid & heavy, the construction was very well done, & finish was gorgeous. After upgrading most of the parts (some were fine & didn't need replacing), getting a fret-dress & set-up, it looked, felt, played & sounded amazing. He was so impressed with the result he ended up buying another one. They are 5 years old now with no problems. Even our local luthier was impressed.

[@theRealAV8r]

how do I spot a 'real' Chinese Les Paul?

[@SFBGuitar]

They say Epiphone on the headstock....

[@DUSTYBASS]

PixxyLixxx I've got an Epiphone LP and an Explorer bass as well. Changed out the Pups, Pots and they are pretty damned good. You're right, if you can tweak your axes...you can get what you want.

[@JaxJordan35]

+PixxyLixxx wait are you saying that epiphone is a Chinese company

[@albert1908]

+Jordan Gallaher it partially is

[@ThEgAmErLoVeR182]

It says made in china sooooo....

[@leokimvideo]

love this video, ah the memories of finding Pixxy via this video, arguably one of the best players and guitar talkers on youtube....it's a killer double

[@reeferdrop420]

I don't know a damn thing about guitars and I accidentally stumbled across your video but keep doing what you're doing. I'd totally drink a few brews with you and pretend I knew what you were talking about

[@stankfanger1366]

+Cody Tennant Who else, in a world full of internet trolls, likes this guy?

[@julesverne6287]

+Young Frankenstein A genuine guy, making genuine videos, about, umm, genuine guitars... Just my thing!

[@PhillipBlanton]

I do.

[@SerbanGhita]

Nice, this reinforces my opinion that a good guitar can be a cheap guitar (with little adjustments)

[@leokimvideo]

I was doing some reading about the Ace Frehley's 1959 Les Paul (so called most expensive guitar in the world) and now look at this fake Gibson again. I'm starting to see what the Chinese were up to now.

[@PeterStrmberg007]

I like this guy. Great musician, knows his guitars. No Bull. What surprised me was the way the guitar held it's tuning so perfectly. Suggest good hardware, great advert for Chibsen, if you know what you're buying and how to set it up. Name of the video is misleading. Should read "How to save $1000 on your next Les Paul Standard".

[@imaseeker100]

you're a great player. thanks for your low-key style, deep experience and knowledge and please keep doing what you're doing.

[@SoIThinkImAGamer]

Wow what a throw back. Teenage me contacted you 10 years ago looking to find a chibson of my own. I ended up buying this same exact guitar.

[@intheblues]

Dude! 1 Million views!! 😄

[@bobdimartino6738]

i was thinking the same thing

[@OddTimeMan]

I've been playing guitar since the late 70's and I own a modest collection. A good guitar is a good guitar. It doesn't matter where it was made, what name is on the headstock, or how much it cost. If it looks good, feels good, plays good, & sounds good, then it IS good. It's really that simple. I like my $600 Korean-made Dean Cadillac BETTER than my Gibson Les Paul!

[@neilmatthews2527]

Great video ! - Thank you - I love your style - by that I mean the blend of your passion and excellent ability to make great sounds interwoven with such a great personality shining through .

[@shaunmcinnis1076]

That reverb is insane.great sound bud

[@arthur.monticelli]

"heheaaahahaahahaaayyyyyyy what's up dude???" best way to start a video ever.

[@michaeljohnson3278]

For those who don't know, because I didn't when i first watched it. The song he is playing at 7:57 is "Still Got The Blues" by Gary Moore.

[@APPALACHIAN_MOTH]

sounds more like The Loner.

[@ryanr2740]

Thanks so much!

[@consentingband001]

Sounds like your work on it has paid off. Nice job.

[@APPALACHIAN_MOTH]

Dude I love how you distract yourself by ripping through a riff. Thats how I get through life. Sounds great.

[@squirtlesquirtle94]

Howdy Steve! Love the sound you get out of that thing. What website did you order it from?! Please let me know! Youve convinced me to purchase one for myself!

[@sharonm7401]

I own 10 Chibson LP's and have only modded a couple. I have mostly 59 bursts. The rest are stock and I enjoy all of them! I may sell 1-2. [e-mail]

[@werdna_sir]

1 Million views!! Congrats, Steve!

[@dadmamouth]

I have watched a lot of videos since this one, for the past few years, and still, this is probably the best looking Chibson, there is just something about it. You have a great looking, and sounding guitar here.

[@danban1964]

Wheredo you get your chibsons?

[@accountaccount180]

That Flinestones riff though.

[@davetay]

It's all about the player, the rest is just geekery. Which is fine.

[@agento1001]

I watch this video all the time, you make me crack up and inform me at the same time.

[@marcvanjacobs1813]

I watch all your videos... but this one is still my favorite. Just fun to watch

[@Jeepjones85]

Wow it actually sounds really good, did you change the pickups?

[@shoeonhead]

JonesHvac he said like 300 times that he has not changed anything lol.

[@TonyPeesTunes]

How do you like them apples?

[@______jsh______]

TonyPeesTunes hahah exactly what I was thinking when I saw the apples box

[@jimcamp2423]

Awesome work to make it sound richer than budget.

[@Ogscottyp]

Buddie, I love watching you play. You really have fun when you play and that is something that a lot of us older players have lost over the years. On a sadder note, I had ordered a Slash AFD LP last January only to have it confiscated at NY customs. I think I may give it one more try, but this time nota Gibby as they seem to be the ones always getting seized. I'm thinking ESP Eclipse Custom. Wish me luck.

[@crazycarpes]

dont´buy guitar for the price !!! buy they for the tones ! Bolajunky

[@krelbar]

+Marcelo BolaCarpes I agree, however you can't buy a guitar for the tone sight unseen.

[@dinorocks7365]

All guitars are built by somone, its down to the luthier, not the brand that make an instrument great.. This guy sounds great mainly cus he can actually play.. Budget affordable guitars, and free lessons via u tube are great.. 15 year ago, all you could get were epiphones, but hello, the guitar can be copied, its just a template at end of day.. Im making a les paul copy from a chinese rock burn.. The quality for the price is amazing!!!

[@green323turbo]

Its ok to copy a Lespaul.. just don't put the copyrighted Gibson name and logo on it. Thats the problem. There are plenty of great Lespaul copies like Ibanez, Epiphone...etc.

[@dinorocks7365]

I dont, it call my version, a sinfield.. Copy the design, but no fake logo, even if you did, its no biggie.. Custom guitars are every where now, and thats that. The epiphones are expensive for what you get and i dont like there fat knecks. Jimmy page customised all his guitars, pik-ups, push pull knobs, and a thinner neck.

[@purpledc1]

damn nice tone. Very cool. I love the little tricks you do to add nuance to your playing. Oddly enough I have seen many lessons on how to play certain songs or how to to certain techniques like tapping and sweeping but no one ever explains those little tricks that add character.

[@green323turbo]

Tone?? All your hearing is DSP processed fake sound. If you want to hear tone.. turn off the distortion and run totally clean.

[@purpledc1]

green323turbo Yes tone. I don't care if its DSP, tube, digital or any other way of processing sound. Sound is sound. And If I like how it sounds that's all I care about. I'm sure the first people to hear an electric guitar probably thought it sounded fake compared to an acoustic. One thing is for sure. The music scene has no shortage of holier than thou narcissists who feel their way is the gold standard of what everyone else should aspire to. WIth that said, you do things your way and I will do them mine. I like his tone. If you don't, there is a shit load of other youtube channels you can troll.

[@green323turbo]

Ya, but Fake, just like that Guitar, and btw GFYS

[@green323turbo]

Ya, my strat sound does suck ..basement echo and peavey amp. But those knives that you sell are really nice.. and i see you don't copy the logo of the designing company.. which is the only part i hate about that clone guitar above.

[@green323turbo]

Yes i'm trolling, because that guitar says 'Made In USA" on it. How would you like it if a company copied your latest knife and had your logo on it..then sold it for 1/4 the price ? I've seen on your site people did complain about your origional clone knives with the microtek logo.. so you changed it. You did the right thing. This guitar says "Gibson Made in USA" on it. Thats why i say its FAKE and a crime.

[@SensibleZombie]

man that guitar sounds amazing i would like to know where you bought it.

[@vietmai5242]

Damn Chinese. They did it again!

[@epiphone6767]

You're Funny dude' & You got Great chops' Thank For the Vid''' !!! :)

[@spaghettibender7607]

How do you fix the latency going into your computer? Im having problems. I use Bias-FX and M-audio interface.

[@Technorat61]

Dude your intro was absolutely perfect lol

[@commissioner1969]

Does anybody watch this video once a year like me lol

[@jeffreymonroe153]

I am the 1,000,000th viewer on this video!

[@tobe2854]

Pics or it didn't happen 😏

[@missionoc]

What about Agile guitars and FGN guitars have you tested those, seems to be rather good guitars!

[@historiclp4577]

When using guitar amp software ,say through my pc or iphone 8, as i have Amplitube for my iphone 8.What kind of speakers do i use?? I mean with my iphone 8 i have the irig2 so i can put it through my tube amp.However if i want to get Amplitube for my PC,then do i just use Pc speaker system?

[@xMcCarthee]

6:13 - "But I-I UGHHH"

[@robtipton793]

Uncle Buck is now doing reviews????? Ha......great stuff, man!

[@TempoDrift1480]

Right!!!!

[@Electrical_Fatman]

Even more awesome given that the Flintstones was John Candy's favourite show 😀

[@kevinsandstrom5833]

I remember watching this when I was 14-15 just found it so fascinating, also love the vintage Sennheiser headphone

[@MrJscaddon]

Can you remember which seller you got this from as it is the perfect colour and flame that i'm looking for.

[@TerryMasri]

Incredible player! Can't believe the sound you're getting out of this Chibson! Fingers have a lot to do with it I guess!

[@sKraat528]

+Thierry Mattea 70% of the sound of any guitar is the player- the other 30% is guitar, amp setup, etc.

[@ajkcoleman]

I have a feeling you are Glenn Fricker's evil twin

[@pyonpyon9394]

otherway around

[@MasterIsh91]

Hey man, I love your videos. This one very much convinced me to give the fake les paul a try, I'm now the proud owner of a wine red lp which is a pretty great guitar after set up etc. Anyhow, you really look like you're having a great time and I suppose that's what guitar playing is all about! Also, watching some of your recent vids, you've lost a lot of weight! Congrats man, rock on :D

[@GameGuysMedia]

That is a great Video man! But I have one question. I live in Germany and wanna ask you if you sell the Guitars you play. I have the problem that I dont know where I can get one. Can you help me with that?

[@boogiestreet594]

I find it SO funny how alot of these guys are surprised etc when their asian cheap guitar is actually made from Maple and rosewood and mahogany etc. "it's actually a real maple cap!!!" lol. you do know that they only use these woods to make guitars because they're cheap and locally avaialble in bulk, they're hard enough to last but not so hard to causes exessive damage to the cutting tools. nothing to do with "tone wood" which doesn't exist for electric guitars. "it's a real maple cap". I used to work for Jackson constructing their V's for the most part. And i sources alot of the Maple and Rosewood and sometimes basswood. a "beautiful" piece of maple for the bodied, proerly dried out etc costs about 19 doallars. the rosewood for the neck with the nice patterning? About 11.50. maple cap? about 8-9 dollars each.. ebony which is not legal in the states? about 11 for the neck. Seriously, these woods are incredibly cheap, yes people are fooled into thinking they're amazing expensive tone woods. Like, the wood and construction and parts used to make a 6 thousand dollar les paul, costs them in parts only roughly 270 dollars. including labor it's about 480. yes, really. they use the same cheap wood as everyone else. And they're not "hand made, specialized" like everyone thinks. They pump out about 1200 a day. (seriously). about 11 people work on a Les Paul Standard through it's construction, none of it is "Hand made". 6 pieces of mahogany are placed in the body jig, and the machine cuts them, they're then placed indivisually on the bumper. To make the curved top, takes about 40 seconds. Then they're past to the guys who glue the neck in after the body cavities have been automatically machined out. neck put on, frets added (about 3 mins). The longest part is all the paint. it takes a few hours to get 1 guitar ready, but thats deceiving. It actually only takes the sprayer about 90 seconds to spray the body. Then its just left on the rack with the rest of the bodies for 6 hours. then it's sprayed again taking 90 seconds. a few more hours then finished which is 90 seconds. Honestly, there's nothing more remarkable about those guitars than most of the asian ones. They don't even make most of the parts for their guitars, they're all jobbed out to local companies... they barely make anything, they're just an assembly plant. 6 grand is a disgusting mark up how does a truss rod work? i presume it bends itself thus bending the neck, but how does turning it at the top cause it to bend mechanically? i don't understand. and what if the neck is crooked horizontally? you can't adjsut that way

[@joseramirez2310]

Anthony Quigley lol it cost way more to build a Les Paul. I don’t know were you got that $480 number.

[@keokiheller4351]

Jose Ramirez ummm he just told u where he got that figure 🧠

[@spiderdave6]

A lot of people say these guitars are crap,, there not ,,,,they are built well, a few upgrades and you got yourself an awesome guitar,i bet if the Headstock did'nt say Gibson on it and had some other catchy cool name,the Chibson haters would say hey," this is a nice guitar how come Gibson charges Thousands of dollars "cmon 3000, 4000 even more for a real Gibson,That's what your paying for,,,,, The Name. Let's just say they put these, Chibsons in your local guitar store, your told it's a new company making these guitars they're called Goodman or Eclipse something like that, or whatever for 200 to 300 bucks you would snap these up in no time,probably buy a couple of them, throw in some new Pickups maybe change the Nut, and then say to yourself " why would i spend 3000 dollars on a Gibson "

[@jeffhickman10]

You're beyond stupid.

[@spiderdave6]

jeffhickman10 Hey,Thanks Jeff,I love these guitars too.

[@InfiniteRhombus]

jeffhickman10 not as stupid as you, though.

[@spiderdave6]

jeffhickman10 Hey,Thanks Jeff,I love these guitars too.

[@spiderdave6]

jeffhickman10 Hey,Thanks Jeff,I love these guitars too.

[@sepike32]

Enjoyed the video ... I'm extremely envious of your knowledge and talent!

[@jbaum7571]

This is a pretty good little mini course on what to look for before laying down big bucks for an American Les Paul. I have seen a few of the type of issues he pointed out on my Godson's Epiphone. Especially where you might see peeling of the veneer in spot or two or maybe a stripped chrome tuner. But he took it back to the store and they gave him his pick of a new guitar with no issues or another brand of equal value or at least no more than B price. He picked a Mexican pearl strat and was happy for years.

[@ROBYRH4]

Friend you are very nice to follow you often in your various videos but i have to tell you something your sounds too much to reverberate take at least 70/80 percent of the reverb at least you will smack the difference between the various guitars you use

[@igolfjtweetler4097]

You really need to run it through a proper amp to evaluate, also cross compare with an Epi and Gib LP std. These software engines are nice at low volumes in a basement but hardly accurate representations of a live set up. I bet I could plug in a $100 plywood guitar and get similar.

[@mattrock12]

My thoughts exactly. We're listening to a software plug, really.

[@cordero6960]

too bad gibson suck ass 👍

[@dadmamouth]

yours is definitely the most accurate copy i have seen, if it was not for the neck joint, i would not of noticed haha, great playing man, sounds awesome!

[@anthonybymallia7067]

it sounds magnificient very nice guitar i love the colour too its perfect

[@elemental47]

i'm halfway through seems more like a demo than a how to spot a fake...

[@tobiasgirod2076]

dude you make some awesome videos im a big fan but you have gotta lose some weights im not trying to lash out to you but it sounds like you have trouble breathing :/ i truly enjoy watching your videos and you're an awesome shredder but you gotta get a little more healthy so i can enjoy your videos for years to come. Hopefully i dont offend you as that is not the point of the comment much love

[@Nightshade1881]

Tobias Girod wow!!!! "hopefully i dont offend you" dude I'm offended by your comment!! this isn't a health video! its about guitars! no need to put someone down even if you don't mean too. keep it strictly to guitar playing. when i watch his videos i don't see anything but this mans amazing personality and even amazing guitar playing. I'm a big guy myself, none of us morbidly obese tho but I've posted videos before and people commented on my fat fingers, I'm like wtf yeah this fat fingers can play and move around the fretboard faster than your skinny fingers will ever move! pls keep it strictly guitar here! we hear this shit from our doctors already, we don't need no youtube comments about it.

[@tobiasgirod2076]

emilio olivas Sorry to offend brother wasn't my intention I totally agree with you hes got an amazing skill with his guitar and a Vaster knowledge of guitars i will ever have. I apologize again to have offended you. Rock on brother \m/

[@nSmatic]

+Tobias Girod Agreed, i used to be really fat but lost weight. Did good for me man, and i can just see him struggling to breath sometimes :(

[@dewycatt2112]

Hi Bud' Whats your overall opinion of these guitars? For the price. Weight and frets like a Gibson? Thanks!

[@monkfry]

Hah you have the best guitar face and look like you would have been one of my friends from high school. Smart and hilarious. Rock on shredmeister

[@beachcomber2008]

How wonderful was that. Those Chinese are going to make some money. :)

[@beachcomber2008]

Not on your nelly.

[@apexresidual22]

i know they do make a fortune and they have fucked the guitar market up so bad as if putting lead in the paint we used to get from them wasn't enough!...

[@scottthomas3997]

How many of the chibson guitars do you own the videos I've seen they sound good after set up and minor mods

[@dougieladd]

It does sound awesome... but how much of that is the modelling on the amp?

[@TheAkd89]

The first video I ever watched ❤️ Hooked on Steve’s playing ever since

[@tonyepley3299]

Great tone! Have you changed any hardware on it?

[@rudyfalcomer6541]

went to trade tang site. they don't show photos of the headstock. Is that to avoid grief from usa makers?

[@jefforzel2828]

Just bought a Chibson. Amazed at the quality right out of the box. Pixxy Lixx thanks for the vids.

[@punkyplay]

so would you suggest this guitar for begginers??( like me )

[@jimmypage5679]

Hey PixxyLixxx i am thinking about getting one. Where did you get this from?

[@missionoc]

Will you recommend this guitar to your friends? I can see you enjoy it!

[@DerredmaxTRIAX]

Damn you make that thing sound good brother nice job! How would you compare that with an Epiphone Les Paul?

[@MARBIZARRO]

sounds amazing! alnico pickups?

[@JMK65]

Can you tell me how is the neck profile of these chinese replicas? Thanks.

[@brettb818]

omg will someone please put this man on AMERICA'S GOT TALENT! Dude, you are hysterical and have ridiculously mad skill!

[@kurt1698]

Bro your bloody amazing at the guitar :D

[@gerryb4540]

Hi have you ever played a guitar with Trisonic Pickups Burns of London make them and Brian May has them on his Big Red, and if so what do you make of them ??.

[@Fontenotcjf]

Did the truss rod require the Gibson tool, or did it require a hex key?

[@charlesccr]

please where i can buy this guitar. did someone found a Link. or did someone found this guitar in aliexpress ?

[@TheJeromeShin]

link for the video of the guy setting up his agile please?

[@TheSpritz0]

It sure PLAYS well for a copy... =)

[@TheAceSpaceman]

It's plays well 'cause he fixed it a little.

[@TheSpritz0]

TheAceSpaceman Almost every guitar needs more than a set-up, my fender needed fret work (it's an import too, not USA-made) and the pickups were horrible, replaced them with expensive humbuckers. Now it plays well too!!

[@DUSTYBASS]

***** AMEN......I've got a Tune (Hatsun) bass and an original U.S. Masters (made in Wis.) and they practically play themselves. The fretwork, body/neck joint are impeccable. I think they ran it thru a Plec Machine. (Hope I spelled that right.)

[@dannyvee3332]

Where did you order that guitar from? I'm thinking of getting one .....who can I trust?

[@wahengbamsolinsingh4195]

I want that tone dude. What software have u used to produce this kind of 80s glam metal sound. Enlighten me🤔

[@Voxboy876]

You probably already posted this but I was to lazy to go looking for it. Could you give us a breakdown of your software, amp, and speakers. Love the tone !!! maybe more reverb than I like but great tone and playing. Thanks

[@Gravitation3Beatles3]

I've been wanting a Honey Burst ever since I saw this video, where can I get one for a great price? Where did you get yours?

[@donmoro789]

What about the neck, is it in one peace ? Thanks

[@jakedavey4596]

Awesome!! What scales where u using dude?

[@thaddeusproshansky5389]

Steve.. What manufacture did you buy your guitar from. Tad

[@saraelizabethloerlein1139]

I enjoy your videos and the good information you share with the world.

[@sketchesforyou8020]

I'm a bassist, but I like hearing you talk about guitar stuff.

[@thefleaflop]

what type of i/o interface are you using???

[@AlexandarSuperTramp]

Hey, Alex from Ireland! Your video's are awesome man! Only discovered ya yesterday. Great stuff. I have subscribed to your channel, do you have a video on your TH-2 rig settings? In particular the one you used on the Chinese les paul video where you mentioned you have the Randell head selected. I think you still use something similar. Would really appreciate it, no worries not.

[@snooze0023]

WOW sounds amazing. Is it really as good as a real gibson? Are the pick ups quality, would it last a long time. And where can i get one?

[@hoshea4]

Can you teach me a bit about what to buy when buying Chinese? Or would you sell one of yours? I'm new to guitars.

[@emhancock74]

Sounds sweet, nice playing! The scarf joint is the obvious eye catcher. Didn't notice if you mentioned the fretboard binding... I assume it does not cover the edge of the fret ends like a real Gibson does?

[@ohu8one221]

Looking for one of the cheapos as well where di you get it from?

[@gamer263]

Goodness me, where did you get that tone? I am nearly making a mess just listening to it.